Electrical power distribution system and method with active load control

ABSTRACT

An electrical power distribution system and a method of implementation are provided. The electrical power distribution system includes: a first AC power source; a second AC power source; a first DC bus; a first AC to DC rectifier; a second AC to DC rectifier; and an electrical load management control unit. The first AC power source is connected to the first DC bus via the first AC to DC rectifier. The second AC power source is connected to the first DC bus via the second AC to DC rectifier. The electrical load management control unit shifts power extraction between the first and second AC power sources by changing an AC voltage output of one of the first and second AC power sources relative to an AC voltage output of the other of the first and second AC power sources, thereby changing an DC voltage output to the first DC bus from one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional patent application No. 60/603,568 filed Aug. 24, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical power distribution system and method, and more particularly, to an electrical power distribution system and method which implement an electrical load sharing technique among a plurality of power sources.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, multiple generator and prime mover (e.g., aircraft engine or auxiliary power unit (APU)) sizing methods typically require that the worst case electrical load power extraction requirements be satisfied by both the generators and the prime mover design. In the case of the generators, the total electrical load of the vehicle is summed up over all operational scenarios so as to represent the maximum rated capacity of the generators. For “More Electric” vehicle applications, which have been proposed to shift the primary power sources used for systems and services from pneumatic (engine bleed) and hydraulic sources to electric sources, this generator capacity can be so large that it poses a hardship for the prime mover to provide both the generator input horsepower as well as any other horsepower extraction (e.g., propulsion) tasks that it is required to perform over its operational envelope.

When sizing such prime movers, additional power output downsizing can be achieved in an effort to optimize program objectives (such as weight reduction), but usually at the expense of derating the output of the prime mover to various services under certain operational conditions (e.g., periods of multitasking, high temperature, low ambient air pressure). As a result, some or all of the prime movers typically must be increased in power extraction capacity or otherwise oversized to carry the load of the generators along with other accessories and provide the necessary propulsion. As a result, either or both of the prime movers and the generators must be oversized to ensure that electrical capacity is maintained and that the prime movers operate properly through their mission profile. This oversizing of the prime movers and the electrical system equipment drives up cost and weight for the prime mover and the electrical system and may hence present impediments to the vehicle program goals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by providing an electrical power distribution system which implements an electrical load sharing technique among a plurality of power sources.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical power distribution system comprises: a first AC power source; a second AC power source; a first DC bus; a first AC to DC rectifier; a second AC to DC rectifier; and an electrical load management control unit. The first and second AC power sources are connected to the first DC bus via the first AC to DC rectifier and second AC to DC rectifier, respectively. The electrical load management control unit shifts an power extraction between the first and second AC power sources by changing an AC voltage output of one of the first and second AC power sources relative to an AC voltage output of the other of the first and second AC power sources, thereby changing an DC voltage output to the first DC bus from one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrical power distribution system comprises: a first AC power source; a second AC power source; a first DC bus; a first AC to DC rectifier; a second AC to DC rectifier; and an electrical load management control unit. The first and second AC power sources are connected to the first DC bus via the first AC to DC rectifier and second AC to DC rectifier, respectively. The electrical load management control unit shifts power extraction between the first and second AC power sources by adjusting either or both of a current flowing through the first AC to DC rectifier and a current flowing through the second AC to DC rectifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

On a “More Electric” vehicle, the electrical system output can include a large portion of rectified DC power that is obtained through AC to DC power conversion units from power originally produced and supplied by the engine driven primary AC generators. When the proportion of rectified DC power is significant compared to the total generated AC power, sufficient leverage exists to use electric power flow blended from each generator as a means to share the total electrical load in different proportions from each generator. In this way, the horsepower extraction from each prime mover can be increased or decreased in proportion to the other prime movers. By ensuring that each installed generator capacity can carry the diverted loads and that the dissimilar engine performance specifications are mutually exclusive, shifting the horsepower extraction between prime movers can be accomplished without a reduction in electrical power output.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the electrical power distribution system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The electrical power distribution system 100 includes a first AC power source 1 a; a second AC power source 1 b; and a third AC power source 1 c.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and third AC power sources 1 a and 1 c are a first AC generator 10 a and a second AC generator 10 c, respectively, and the first and second AC generators 10 a and 10 c are driven by a first aircraft engine 11 a and a second aircraft engine 11 c, respectively. The aircraft engine 11 a or 11 c can be, but not limited to, an aircraft propulsion engine, an aircraft turbine engine, an internal combustion engine (diesel, gasoline, propane, natural gas, etc.), or an steam powered engine, etc. In addition, the illustrated embodiment can also apply to any “more electric” land or sea vehicles which may use propulsion engines that are of limited size for the total electrical power extraction necessary for a more electric vehicle.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second AC power source 1 b is a third AC generator 10 b, and the third AC generator 10 b is driven by an engine 11 b, such as a third aircraft engine (e.g., an aircraft propulsion engine, an aircraft turbine engine, an internal combustion engine (diesel, gasoline, propane, natural gas, etc.), or an steam powered engine, etc.), an auxiliary power unit, a spool associated with one of the first and second aircraft engines 11 a and 11 c, etc. In this embodiment, the prime mover associated with the second AC power source 1 b has performance characteristics which allow it to carry the electrical load when the first and second aircraft engines 10 a and 10 c associated with the first and third AC power sources 1 a and 1 c are unable to do so. It is also possible to allow some relief for power extraction of the second AC power source 1 b.

The electrical power distribution system 100 further includes: a first DC bus 6 a; a second DC bus 6 b; a first AC to DC rectifier 5 a; a second AC to DC rectifier 5 b; a third AC to DC rectifier 5 c; and a fourth AC to DC rectifier 5 d. The first and second AC power sources 1 a and 1 b are connected to the first DC bus 6 a via the first and second AC to DC rectifiers 5 a and 5 b, respectively. The second and third AC power sources 1 b and 1 c are connected to the second DC bus 6 b via the third and fourth AC to DC rectifiers 5 c and 5 d, respectively.

The electrical power distribution system 100 further comprises an electrical load management control unit 8. In the illustrated embodiment, upon receiving the vehicle power load change commands from an engine control system (e.g., a computer) 9, the electrical load management control unit 8 shifts the power extraction between the first and second AC power sources 1 a and 1 b by changing an AC voltage output of one of the first and second AC power sources 1 a and 1 b relative to an AC voltage output of the other of the first and second AC power sources 1 a and 1 b, thereby changing an DC voltage output to the first DC bus 6 a from one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers 5 a and 5 b. The engine control system 9 is responsible for the engine output horsepower regulation and manages the vehicle status including the engine power setting, and the human operator controls (switches, rheostats, position transducers etc) that indicate changes to the electrical power loading which may be independent of computer monitored or generated signals. The vehicle power load change commands are any signals that may increase or decrease engine output power, increase or decrease electrical power demand, turn off or turn on electrical power sources or any relevant vehicle or environmental data that can have an influence on the complete engine power extraction control algorithm.

Similarly, upon receiving the vehicle power load change commands from the engine control system 9, the electrical load management control unit 8 shifts an power extraction between the second and third AC power sources 1 b and 1 c by changing an AC voltage output of one of the second and third AC power sources 1 b and 1 c relative to an AC voltage output of the other of the second and third AC power sources 1 b and 1 c, thereby changing an DC voltage output to the first DC bus 6 a from one of the third and fourth AC to DC rectifiers 5 c and 5 d.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical power distribution system 100 further includes: a first regulation control unit 2 a; a second regulation control unit 2 b; and a third regulation control unit 2 c. The first, second and third regulation control units 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c are connected to the electrical load management control unit 8. The electrical load management control unit 8 regulates the AC voltage output of the first, second and third AC power sources 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c via the first, second and third regulation control units 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical power distribution system 100 further includes: a first AC bus 3 a; a second AC bus 3 b; and a third AC bus 3C. The first, second and third AC buses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c are connected to the first, second and third AC power sources 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c, respectively. The first, second and third AC buses 3 a and 3 b supply the AC voltage output from the first, second and third AC power sources 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c to vehicle AC loads 4.

In addition, the first AC bus 3 a supplies the AC voltage output from the first AC power source 1 a to the first AC to DC rectifier 5 a. The second AC bus supplies the AC voltage output from the second AC power source 1 b to the second and third AC to DC rectifiers 5 b and 5 c. The third AC bus supplies the AC voltage output from the third AC power source 1 c to the fourth AC to DC rectifier 5 d.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first DC bus 6 a supplies the DC voltage output from the first and second AC to DC rectifiers 5 a and 5 b to vehicle DC loads 7, and the second DC bus 6 b supplies the DC voltage output from the third and fourth AC to DC rectifiers 5 c and 5 d to vehicle DC loads 7.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical load management control unit 8 acquires the DC voltage output of the first and second DC buses 6 a and 6 b to regulate the AC voltage output of the first, second and third AC power sources 1 a, 1 b and 1 c.

In order to provide a closed loop control, the electrical load management control unit 8 monitors the output of the DC buses to ensure that the voltage on a specific DC bus is within acceptable limits for the DC equipment attached. In the case that the rectifiers are passive, for a constant input AC voltage, the DC output voltage will reduce as a function of output current. If the electrical load management control unit 8 was operating in an open loop and was changing the regulation control of the AC power sources, it could be done through a succession of regulation adjustments and DC load variations to lower each AC source alternately such that the rectifier DC output fell above or below the acceptable DC limits. In a closed loop, the electrical load management control unit 8 would know whether to trim up or down each AC Power Sources, thereby ensuring that the DC output is within acceptable limits.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers 5 a and 5 b is a passive AC to DC rectifier. In this embodiment, each includes of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers 5 a and 5 b a diode 51 a or 51 b connected to the first DC bus 6 a, as shown in FIG. 2. By changing the AC voltage output of the one of the first and second AC power sources 1 a and 1 b relative to the AC voltage output of the other of the first and second AC power sources 1 a and 1 b, a reverse bias on the diode of one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers 5 a and 5 b, i.e., diode 51 a or 51 b, will restrict the DC voltage output to the first DC bus 6 a from the one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers 5 a and 5 b.

Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each of the third and fourth AC to DC rectifiers 5 c and 5 d is a passive rectifier. In this embodiment, each of the third and fourth AC to DC rectifiers 5 c and 5 d includes a diode 51 c or 51 d connected to the second DC bus 6 b, as shown in FIG. 2. By changing the AC voltage output of the one of the second and third AC power sources 1 b and 1 c relative to the AC voltage output of the other of the second and third AC power sources 1 b and 1 c, a reverse bias on the diode of one of the third and fourth AC to DC rectifiers 5 c and 5 d, i.e., diode 51 c or 51 d, will restrict the DC voltage output to the second DC bus 6 b from the one of the third and fourth AC to DC rectifiers 5 c and 5 d.

For example, assuming that upon receiving the vehicle power load change commands from the engine control system 9, the electrical load management control unit 8 decides to offload the first AC Power Source, the electrical load management control unit 8 instructs the first regulation control unit 2 a to reduce its regulated AC voltage output relative to the regulated AC voltage output of the second regulation control unit 2 b. In this embodiment, since the first AC to DC rectifier 5 a is a passive device, the output DC voltage of the first AC to DC rectifier 5 a will decrease. On the other hand, since the second AC power source 1 b still keeps outputting the same AC voltage, the DC voltage outputted by the second AC to DC rectifier 5 b would be relatively higher than the DC voltage outputted by the first AC to DC rectifier 5 a. This will causes a reverse bias on the diode 51 a of the first AC to DC rectifier 5 a, which restricts the DC voltage outputted from the first AC to DC rectifier 5 a to the first DC Bus 6 a.

Therefore, by controlling the AC power sources to increase or decrease the AC voltage output, the voltage change at the DC output of the corresponding AC to DC rectifier will generate a reverse bias on a specific diode of an AC to DC rectifier. Accordingly, electrical power flow and horsepower extraction from the corresponding AC power source can be reduced or discontinued.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the electrical power distribution system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 presents a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 3, to reduce the parts count, the two AC to DC rectifiers of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 connected to the second AC power source 1 b are replaced by a dual output AC to DC rectifier 5 e in the electrical power distribution system 200. In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the dual output AC to DC rectifier 5 e is a passive rectifier and includes a first diode 51 e connected to the first DC bus 6 a and a second diode 52 e connected to the second DC bus 6 b. By changing the AC voltage output of the one of the first and second AC power sources 1 a and 1 b relative to the AC voltage output of the other of the first and second AC power sources 1 a and 1 b, a reverse bias on one of the first diode 51 e of the second AC to DC rectifier 5 e and the diode 51 a of the first AC to DC rectifier 5 a will restrict the DC voltage output to the first DC bus 6 a from the one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers 5 a and 5 e. Similarly, by changing the AC voltage output of the one of the second and third AC power sources 1 b and 1 c relative to the AC voltage output of the other of the second and third AC power sources 1 b and 1 c, a reverse bias on one of the second diode 52 e of the second AC to DC rectifier 5 e and the diode 51 d of the third AC to DC rectifier 5 d will restrict the DC voltage output to the second DC bus 6 b from the one of the second and third AC to DC rectifiers 5 e and 5 d.

Therefore, by controlling the AC power sources to increase or decrease the AC voltage output, the voltage change at the DC output of the corresponding AC to DC rectifier will generate a reverse bias on a specific diode of an AC to DC rectifier. Accordingly, electrical power flow and horsepower extraction from the corresponding AC power source can be reduced or discontinued.

Another application of the concepts described above is to use an active rectifier in place of the passive AC to DC rectifier. In this embodiment, the active rectifier can directly affect the degree of power flow through itself and minimize the amount of AC Power Source voltage change necessary or eliminate it entirely.

The embodiment in FIG. 5 provides a more sophisticated method of achieving the same end with more dedicated and accurate power blending control. The active rectifiers 5 f, 5 g, 5 h and 5 i are shown in one possible configuration in FIG. 5 that combines a power section that provides the power switching circuits and devices (5 f 1, 5 g 1, 5 h 1, 5 i 1) and switching device driver control electronics, regulation and protection logic (5 f 2, 5 g 2, 5 h 2, 5 i 2). In other possible configurations, the power section and the control section may be realized as separate units communicating through data buses or discrete connections. In another more integrated solution, the electronic controls of the active rectifier may be incorporated in the electrical load management control unit with the switching device driver outputs connected only to the power section. Either architecture described or other physical arrangements of controls that can be envisioned do not change the fundamental controls or the intention of power blending scheme described. In such a scheme the electrical load management control unit 8 does not modify the regulation control unit for each AC generation source as in FIGS. 1-4. Previously this was required since the AC to DC rectifier was passive and the only opportunity to vary the current flow was to effect the regulation of the upstream generator regulation control. However, with the active rectifier, control electronics already exist as part of the active rectifier concept such that the electrical load management unit 8 can maintain a direct connection to the current and voltage regulation controls of each active rectifier. In monitoring the voltage and current from each active rectifier as well as the electrical power system and engine status of the aircraft, the electrical load management control unit 8 can adjust the flow of current through each active rectifier individually or in combination to obtain the desired engine power extraction and electrical power supply. Functionally, an active rectifier is more efficient because instead of reverse biasing the passive rectifiers by varying the AC source output voltage to switch off a particular input AC channel, and then performing two power conversion stages, the active rectifier uses switching semiconductors to synthesize (chop) and filter the input AC power signal to provide a constant DC output voltage. This results in a higher efficiency (less weight, volume and heat generation) since the power required at any time only passes through one conversion operation instead of being subjected to individual transformer and rectification stages. Simplicity is also introduced by allowing the generator regulation control units to maintain a constant voltage output for the general aircraft buses. Speed of response is also improved since the generators and transformers of the AC to DC rectifier naturally exhibit electromagnetic inertia in response to a regulation control input change and therefore, by affecting the active rectifier directly, this inertia can be minimized. The electrical load management control unit 8 therefore would directly vary the degree of DC power synthesis within the active rectifier to regulate the amount of power that would flow through any particular rectifier. Hence, this would result in the restricting or passing of electrical power in the appropriate proportion to the other rectifiers with respect to the permissible engine power extraction and the electrical power demand as determined by the electrical load management control unit. Therefore the desired blending effect as principally described by this patent earlier using passive rectifiers is similarly achieved using an active rectifier approach.

Although FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a plurality of discrete elements for the electrical load management control unit and the multiple regulation control units, it should be recognized that this illustration is for ease of explanation and the associated control functions can be combined in one or more elements, including by implementing software, hardware, ASIC, etc., based techniques. 

1. A method of sharing an electrical load in an electrical power distribution system, the method comprising: providing a first AC power source, a second AC power source, a first DC bus, and a second DC bus; connecting the first AC power source to the first DC bus via a first AC to DC rectifier; connecting the second AC power source to the first DC bus via a second AC to DC rectifier; connecting the second AC power source to the second DC bus via the second AC to DC rectifier; and changing an AC voltage output of one of the first and second AC power sources relative to an AC voltage output of the other of the first and second AC power sources, to partially shift power extraction between the first and second AC power sources and blend electric power from the first and second AC power sources, thereby dynamically changing a DC voltage output to the first DC bus from one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of changing the AC voltage output comprises: changing the AC voltage output of the one of the first and second AC power sources relative to the AC voltage output of the other of the first and second AC power sources to apply a reverse bias on a diode of one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers, thereby restricting the DC voltage output to the first DC bus from the one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of changing the AC voltage output comprises: acquiring the DC voltage output of the first DC bus; and regulating the AC voltage output of the first and second AC power sources via a first regulation control unit and a second regulation control.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the first power source and the second power source comprises: driving a first AC generator with a first aircraft engine; and driving a second AC generator with one of a second aircraft engine, an auxiliary power unit, and a spool associated with one of the first aircraft engine.
 5. An electrical power distribution system, comprising: a first AC power source; a second AC power source; a first DC bus; a second DC bus; a first AC to DC rectifier, the first AC power source being connected to the first DC bus via the first AC to DC rectifier; a second AC to DC rectifier, the second AC power source being connected to the first DC bus via the second AC to DC rectifier; the second AC power source being connected to the second DC bus via the second AC to DC rectifier; and an electrical load management control unit, the electrical load management control unit partially shifting power extraction between the first and second AC power sources by dynamically adjusting either or both of a current flowing through the first AC to DC rectifier and a current flowering through the second AC to DC rectifier, to blend electrical power from the first and second AC power sources. 